Vroom: Vintage motorcycle show Eurobike is back

William Warner Photography

You might hear the roar of revving engines echoing from downtown this month when the Southeast’s largest European and European-inspired motorcycle show gathers in Raleigh for its eighth annual festival April 8 and 9. Eurobike, a celebration of vintage and European motorcycles, kicks off with gatherings galore: a ride-in event from Capital Club 16 downtown, Saturday afternoon rides at both “spirited” and “vintage” paces, and a Saturday night party at London Bridge Pub with food and music. Everything cumulates in a bike show at City Market on Sunday afternoon, where serious collectors and amateur enthusiasts alike show their bikes.

Whether in action or on display, the festival focuses on British and European brands and café motorcycles, which are unique and custom-made “Euro-inspired” bikes from all over the world. Attendees hail from far and wide, but Eurobike’s roots are firmly in Raleigh. The weekend is presented by Do The Ton Triangle, a local group of custom bike enthusiasts (whose name refers to riding more than 100 miles an hour), and BikeSafe NC; a portion of proceeds support a different community charity each year. This year, InterAct, the Raleigh nonprofit that provides safety, advocacy, and support to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, is the beneficiary.

Distinct from Capital City Bikefest, Eurobike is smaller-scale and craft-oriented. This is the show for those who don’t just have a need for speed, but who also, according to Eurobike organizers, view “speed as art.” –J.A.